EP2656361B1 - Housing for a push button switch - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a housing for a push-button, which can be connected in particular with a tailgate of a motor vehicle to open a trunk of the motor vehicle by pressing a button on a pivotally connected to the housing button.

Out EP 1 808 877 A2 a push button switch for a motor vehicle is known in which a button is pivotally connected to a housing. The housing has a micro-switch for actuating a lock, wherein the micro-switch can be actuated by the button. In the direction of actuation of the button a plurality of domes are provided between the microswitch and the button to increase the required actuation force to actuate the microswitch, the domes act directly on the microswitch.

From the WO2006 / 106033A1 a pivotally formed actuating device is known in which the bearing constructed as a pivot axis bearing between the Federlement and the switch is arranged.

From the DE10020172A1 is a translationally movable trained actuating device known which requires two Federlemente to reset the probe element.

There is a constant need to design push-button robust enough for higher actuation forces without significantly increasing the required space.

It is the object of the invention to provide measures that allow a robust push-button switch with low space requirements.

The object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a housing for a momentary-contact switch, in particular snap-action switch for a tailgate of a motor vehicle, provided with a base plate for attachment to a substrate, in particular tailgate, a bearing element connected to the base plate for pivotally mounting a probe, a switching element connected to the base plate, in particular micro-switch wherein the switching element is operable by the button in an actuating direction, and at least one connected to the base plate or mounted in the base plate spring element to provide a minimum actuation force for the button, wherein the spring element is arranged transversely to the actuating direction to the switching element spaced.

By the spring element can be adjusted in comparison to a micro switch particularly high required actuation force, so that a correspondingly robust push-button switch with such a housing can not be operated unintentionally. For example, the required actuation force can be predetermined by means of the spring element such that the pushbutton switch does not unintentionally open the tailgate of the boot as an actuating element for a lock of a tailgate of a motor vehicle during a washing process in an automatic car wash. It is not necessary to design springs of the switching element for a correspondingly high actuation force. Due to the fact that the spring element is spaced apart from the switching element laterally to the actuating direction, the correspondingly robust push-button switch can be designed to be particularly flat and space-saving. In particular, the button may have the size of an emblem of a motor vehicle manufacturer without significantly protruding from the tailgate. Due to the flat and space-saving design of the key switch a correspondingly low flow resistance is achieved. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the housing of the pushbutton switch to protrude significantly into the interior of a motor vehicle, so that the available installation space does not have to be used for the pushbutton switch. Preferably, the spring travel of the spring element is adapted to the actuation path for the switching element such that a maximum permissible actuation travel is not is exceeded. For example, the spring element go to block and no longer allow more travel before the maximum allowable actuation path for the switching element is exceeded and the switching element can be mechanically damaged. Furthermore, the spring element can give off a click sound upon actuation of the button to indicate the end of the actuation path acoustically. Due to the pivotable mounting of the probe by means of the bearing element, it is possible to provide different actuation paths due to the lever effect of the button for the actuation of the switching element and for the actuation of the spring element. This makes it easier by a corresponding spatial positioning of the spring element relative to the switching element to adjust the actuating paths for the switching element and for the spring element to each other such that damage to the switching element is avoided. A direct action of the spring element on the switching element is not provided, so that the switching element of the spring element can not be damaged. A sudden application of force to the switching element by the example designed as a snap-action ("snap-hook") spring element is avoided. The spring element may be movably or immovably received by the base plate or a component connected to the base plate. For example, upon actuation of the pushbutton, the spring element and / or the pushbutton can first be moved over a dead distance, in which no counterforce is yet applied to the pushbutton by the spring element. For this purpose, the spring element may for example be connected to the button and movable, in particular linearly displaceable, be stored in the base plate.

For example, the switching element may close or open an electrical circuit when actuated to emit an electrical signal. Due to this signal, in particular a lock can be opened and / or closed. In particular, a lock of a motor vehicle, in particular a lock for a tailgate of a motor vehicle can be actuated by the switching element. The switching element can be connected via a plug with an electrical line for actuating the lock. The base plate the housing for the key switch is made in particular of plastic, preferably by plastic injection molding. In particular, the bearing element is designed in one piece with the base plate. The base plate has in particular a receiving pocket for the switching element, wherein the switching element in the receiving pocket frictionally, in particular with a press fit, used and / or held by means of a captive, in particular clipped, is. For actuation of the switching element in particular only a small pivotal movement of the probe by about 1 ° to 10 °, in particular 2 ° to 7 ° and particularly preferably by 3 ° to 5 ° is required. The actuating direction is thereby substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the base plate and at least approximately substantially linear.

In particular, a limit stop for limiting the maximum actuation travel of the probe is connected to the base plate, wherein the limit stop is positioned in particular directly adjacent to the spring element. Due to the limit stop, the maximum permissible actuating travel for the switching element can be maintained. Before the switching element can be damaged if the button is pressed too hard, the button hits the limit stop, so that the further force flow can be removed via the housing. Due to the proximity of the limit stop to the spring element elastic deformation of the housing in the region of the spring element and thereby spaced from the switching element. The switching element is thereby protected against mechanical stresses. In particular, thereby the spring travel of the spring element can be adapted to the actuation of the button until it stops at the limit stop. For example, with the help of spacers, such as washers, the exact position of the limit stop and / or the spring element relative to the button and relative to the switching element can be accurately adjusted. This makes it possible to use as many identical parts as possible, in particular for different push-button types.

Preferably, the spring element is made of a metal sheet. Due to the sheet-like spring element, the spring element can be supported substantially flat against the base plate of the housing. This avoids that the spring element presses into the material of the base plate and results in a modified spring characteristic. In particular, can be provided with the help of a made of sheet metal spring element with low space requirement, a high spring force for the particular only a small travel is required. An elastic swinging of the probe can be avoided. Furthermore, a user receives a clear tactile feedback in the use of the pushbutton despite low pivotal movement of the button. Furthermore, the working range of the spring element can already be present at the beginning of the spring characteristic, so that unnecessarily large spring travel is avoided.

In particular, the spring element, in particular a snap frog spring element, has a stable and a metastable state, wherein the spring element generates a click sound during the transition from the metastable state into the stable state and / or during the transition from the stable state into the metastable state. The spring element can be configured, for example, as a diaphragm spring, which can give off a click sound as a snap frog spring element when actuated ("crackpot frog"). The stable state and the metastable state of the spring element correspond in particular with the intended end positions of the button for an actuation of the switching element and a position for not taking place operation of the switching element. Particularly preferably, the stable state corresponds to a position of the button in which the switching element is not actuated. Preferably, the spring element automatically moves in a non-attacking operating force in the stable state. A continuous unintentional actuation of the switching element can be automatically avoided. In particular, a user can acoustically perceive the achievement of the end positions by the click sound. Preferably, after overcoming a minimum resistance, a sudden transition occurs between the stable and the metastable state, so that the achievement of the respective state can be detected haptically. In particular, the spring force to be overcome increases after reaching the stable and / or metastable state, so that excessive pressure and / or excessive pulling of the probe can be automatically avoided.

The switching element is arranged between the bearing element and the single spring element. Due to the lever effect of the hinged to the bearing element button results for the spring element, a larger actuation path than for the switching element. Due to the larger actuation travel, the spring element can be claimed by a correspondingly larger spring travel, so that at a comparatively small actuation travel for actuating the switching element, a correspondingly high counterforce for actuating the switching element can be provided. In particular, one next to the switching element single designed in particular as a leaf spring or plate spring spring element sufficient to provide the desired required operating force can.

In particular, the spring element in the unactuated state compared to the switching element and / or in comparison to the base plate can be positioned closer to the button. The spring element can thereby be arranged above the switching element and / or the base plate. In particular, the spring element in the unactuated state of the pushbutton on a smaller distance to the button than the switching element and / or the base plate. This ensures that upon actuation of the probe, first the spring element opposes the actuated button with a counterforce as the switching element or a limit stop of the base plate. In the direction of actuation of the button strikes first on the spring element and only then on the switching element and the base plate. This ensures that the spring element can absorb a large part of the actuating force before the switching element is actuated and further pivotal movement of the probe is blocked by the switching element and / or by the base plate.

More preferably, the switching element is arranged between two spring elements, wherein in particular the two spring elements are arranged substantially parallel to a pivot axis of the probe defined by the bearing element. The switching element and the two spring elements may in particular be arranged substantially centrally to a substantially circular button, so that sufficient space remains in the housing to connect the switching element and the spring elements with the base plate. The fact that the two spring elements can be arranged substantially at the same distance from the pivot axis, the spring elements can provide a substantially identical behavior in substantially identical configuration. The spring elements are arranged in particular symmetrical to the switching element. As a result, the effects of the two or more spring elements can hardly be tactually distinguished upon actuation of the pushbutton switch. In particular, a temporally offset acoustic double-click can be avoided when operating the spring elements.

In a preferred embodiment, a minimum actuation force F of 18 N ≦ F ≦ 70 N, in particular 19 N ≦ F ≦ 35 N and preferably F = 25 N ± 5 N is provided by the at least one spring element in addition to the switching element. In such a minimum actuation force unintentional actuation of the switching element can be avoided for example by a washing roller of an automatic car wash. At the same time, the minimum actuation force is selected such that a person can manually overcome the required minimum actuation force without effort.

In particular, the spring element can be inserted in a receptacle of the base plate, wherein the spring element in both the actuated and in the unactuated state on the button, in particular on a plunger of the probe, is applied. The spring element can be supported on the recording of the base plate and apply at least a small force on the button in the unactuated state of the push-button. The button can thereby in unactuated state are kept in a defined end position. In particular, rattling of the button is avoided. Furthermore, vibrations of the probe and / or the spring element can be damped. For this purpose, in particular a continuous contact of the probe, in particular a preferably integrally connected to the push button plunger, provided with the spring element, wherein the contact is particularly preferably directly without intermediate components.

Preferably, the base plate has an undercut for receiving the spring element, wherein in particular the spring element can be introduced by clipping and / or screwing into the undercut. For example, a spring element can be inserted laterally into the undercut and preferably be frictionally held within the undercut due to a bias. In particular, in a designed as a leaf spring spring element, the spring element can be placed, for example offset by about 90 ° at the associated location on the base plate and then rotated in the intended end position until one or both free ends of the spring element are inserted into corresponding undercuts. If the undercut is realized by means of clips, the spring element can be pressed in the direction of actuation against the rebounding clips in the undercut. This allows a simple and secure mounting of the spring element with the base plate.

Particularly preferably, with the base plate spaced from the bearing element a captive, in particular a clip of a clip connection, connected to the captive recording of the button. The button can thereby be connected to the bearing element pivotally and spaced on the captive from the bearing element securely connected to the base plate. The captive can allow in particular a limited mobility in the direction of actuation to a pivoting of the button to guarantee. In particular, the components received by the housing can be protected by the probe from environmental influences.

Further preferably, of the spring element and of the switching element in the unactuated state, a maximum force F _max of 0 N ≦ F _max ≦ 20 N, in particular 1 N ≦ F _max ≦ 15 N, preferably 2 N ≦ F _max ≦ 10 N and particularly preferred 3 N ≤ F _max ≤ 5 N can be applied to the button. The maximum force which can be exerted on the button in the unused state of the push-button switch is so small that the button does not bear with high friction and high wear on a component of the housing. At the same time, the maximum force is so high that rattling of the button is avoided and vibrations can be damped.

The invention further relates to a push-button switch, in particular for a tailgate of a motor vehicle, having a housing which can be formed and developed as described above, and a switch pivotally connected to the switch for switching the switching element. By the spring element of the housing, a particularly high required operating force compared to a microswitch can be adjusted with a small space requirement, so that the correspondingly robust push-button switch with such a housing can not be operated unintentionally.
According to a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the spring element is arranged transversely to the actuating direction to the switching element spaced.
According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the spring element is arranged at a distance from the actuating direction to the switching element.
According to a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that within the microswitch at least two spring elements, in particular snap discs or leaf springs, are arranged one above the other, which are complementary to each other, wherein leaf springs are arranged to ensure the required operating force.

Fig. 1:

eine schematische Schnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Tastschalters,

Fig. 2:

eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Gehäuses für den Tastschalter aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 3:

eine schematische geschnittene Detailansicht des Gehäuses aus Fig. 2,

Fig. 4:

eine weitere schematische geschnittene Detailansicht des Gehäuses aus Fig. 2 und

Fig. 5:

eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Gehäuses für den Tastschalter aus Fig. 1 in einer weiteren Ausführungsform.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings with reference to preferred embodiments, wherein the features shown below, both individually and in combination may represent an aspect of the invention. Show it:

Fig. 1:

a schematic sectional view of a pushbutton switch according to the invention,

Fig. 2:

a schematic perspective view of a housing according to the invention for the key switch Fig. 1 .

3:

a schematic sectional detail view of the housing Fig. 2 .

4:

another schematic sectional detail view of the housing Fig. 2 and

Fig. 5:

a schematic perspective view of a housing according to the invention for the key switch Fig. 1 in a further embodiment.

The in Fig. 1 shown push button 10 has a housing 12 with a base plate 14 which is connected to a tailgate 16 of a motor vehicle as a base. With the base plate 14, a button 20 is pivotally hinged to a bearing element 18. The button 20 can be pressed by hand 22 along an actuating direction 24 to actuate a microswitch 26 designed as a switching element. The push button 20 can additionally press, via a plunger 28, against a spring element 30 designed, for example, as a leaf spring, which provides a counterforce 32 in order to force a minimum required actuating force for actuating the microswitch 26. The spring element 30 is securely received in by the base plate 14 integrally formed undercuts 34. In the immediate vicinity of the spring element 30, a limit stop 36 is provided, where the button 20 can strike at too strong actuation force, so that the maximum allowable actuation path for the microswitch 26 is not exceeded.

As in Fig. 2 shown, the button 20 can be received in the bearing element 18 via a shaft or axle, wherein the probe 20 can be clipped into the bearing element 18 in particular via a shaft or axis. Spaced to a defined by the bearing element 18 pivot axis 38 of the button 20 is clipped in a captive 40. For this purpose, the counter plate 14 forms a Gehäuseclip 42, in which a button clip 44 is clipped with clear play in the direction of actuation 24. The in Fig. 2 not shown microswitch 26 may be taken captive in a formed by the base plate 14 receiving pocket 46. The receiving pocket 46 opens into a passage 48 of the base plate 14, in which a connector, not shown, for connecting the microswitch 26 may be used, for example, with a lock of a tailgate 16 for a trunk of a motor vehicle. With the help of fasteners 50, the base plate 14 of the housing 12 with a background, for example by screwing and / or riveting, are connected. As in Fig. 3 shown, the single spring element 30 is disposed between the microswitch 26 and the limit stop 36, so that the button 20 can strike correspondingly spaced from the microswitch 26 via the limit stop 36 on the base plate 14 of the housing 12. As in Fig. 4 illustrated, the bearing member 18 of the base plate 14 may be designed partially circular in cross section, so that a corresponding pivot member 52 of the probe 20 can be pivoted limited in the bearing member 18.

At the in Fig. 5 illustrated embodiment of the key switch 10 may additionally or alternatively to the in Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment of the pushbutton 10 may be provided for example as a leaf spring spring element 30 substantially the same distance as the Mirkoschalter 26 to the pivot axis 38 of the probe 20. In particular, two symmetrically arranged spring elements 30 are at the same distance from Swivel axis 38 provided on different sides of the receiving pocket 46 for the microswitch 26.

As already described above, the spring element 30 is arranged transversely to the actuating direction 24 to the switching element 26 spaced. Especially suitable for this is a leaf spring. The leaf spring could also be arched and / or U-shaped, wherein at the end of the respective legs a to the legs substantially vertically arranged plateau is formed, which serves as a support surface in the support member.

Of course, the spring element 30 can also be arranged at a distance from the actuating direction 24 to the switching element 26. In this case, as an alternative to a leaf spring and a coil spring could be used.

In order to ensure the required actuation force, two leaf springs, which are designed to be complementary to one another, may alternatively be arranged instead of a leaf spring.

It is envisaged that the spring element 30 is arranged transversely to the actuating direction 24 to the switching element 26 spaced. Alternatively, it is possible that the spring element 30 is arranged longitudinally to the actuating direction 24 to the switching element 26 spaced. Furthermore, it is possible for at least two spring elements, in particular snap-action disks or leaf springs, to be arranged one above the other within the microswitch 26, which are designed to be complementary to one another, wherein leaf springs are arranged in order to ensure the required actuating force.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Push switch

12

casing

14

baseplate

16

tailgate

18

bearing element

20

button

22

hand

24

operating direction

26

microswitch

28

tappet

30

spring element

32

operating force

34

undercut

36

limiting stop

38

swivel axis

40

captive

42

housing clip

44

button clip

46

receiving pocket

48

passage

50

fastener

52

pivoting element

Claims (15)

1. A housing for a push button switch (10), particularly
   a snap-action push button for a tailgate (16) of a motor vehicle, with
   a base plate (14) for being mounted on a base, particularly a tailgate (16),
   a mounting element (18) that is connected to the base plate (14) and serves for pivotably mounting a push button (20),
   a switch element (26), particularly a microswitch, that is connected to the base plate (14), wherein the switch element (26) can be actuated by the push button (20) in an actuating direction (24), and
   at least one spring element (30) that is connected to the base plate (14) or mounted in the base plate (14) and serves for realizing a minimum actuating force of the push button (20), wherein the spring element (30) is arranged with a certain spacing from the switch element (26),
   characterized in that
   the switch element (26) is arranged between the mounting element (18) and the single spring element (30), wherein the single spring element (30) is realized in the form of a leaf spring.
2. The housing according to claim 1, characterized in that a limit stop (36) for limiting the maximum actuating travel of the push button (20) is connected to the base plate (14), wherein the limit stop (36) is particularly positioned directly adjacent to the spring element (30).
3. The housing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring element (30) is made of sheet metal.
4. The housing according to one of claims 1-3,
   characterized in that the spring element (30) particularly consists of a clicker-type spring element which has a stable and a metastable state, wherein the spring element (30) generates a clicking sound during the transition from the metastable state into the stable state and/or during the transition from the stable state into the metastable state.
5. The housing according to one of claims 1-4,
   characterized in that the spring element (30) can in comparison with the switch element (26) and/or in comparison with the base plate (14) be positioned closer to the push button (20) in the non-actuated state.
6. The housing according to one of claims 1-5,
   characterized in that the switch element (26) is arranged between two spring elements (30), wherein the two spring elements (30) are particularly arranged essentially parallel to a pivoting axis (38) of the push button (20) that is defined by the mounting element (18).
7. The housing according to one of claims 1-6,
   characterized in that a minimum actuating force F of 18N ≤ F ≤ 70N, particularly 19N ≤ F ≤ 35N, preferably F = 25N ± 5N, is realized by means of the at least one spring element (30) in addition to the switch element (26).
8. The housing according to one of claims 1-7,
   characterized in that the spring element (30) can be inserted into a receptacle of the base plate, wherein the spring element (30) can rest against the push button (20), particularly a plunger (28) of the push button, in the actuated state, as well as in the non-actuated state.
9. The housing according to one of claims 1-8,
   characterized in that the base plate (14) features an undercut (34) for receiving the spring element (30), wherein the spring element (30) particularly can be clipped and/or twisted into the undercut (34).
10. The housing according to one of claims 1-9,
    characterized in that a loss prevention device (40), particularly a clip (42) of a clip connection, is connected to the base plate (14) with a certain spacing from the mounting element (18) in order to captively receive the push button (20).
11. The housing according to one of claims 1-10,
    characterized in that a maximum force F_max of 0N ≤ F_max ≤ 20N, particularly 1N ≤ F_max ≤ 15N, preferably 2N ≤ F_max ≤ 10N, especially 3N ≤ F_max ≤ 5N, can be exerted upon the push button (20) by the spring element (30) and by the switch element (26) in the non-actuated state.
12. The housing according to one of claims 1-11,
    characterized in that the spring element (30) is arranged such that it is spaced apart from the switch element (26) transverse to the actuating direction (24).
13. The housing according to one of claims 1-12,
    characterized in that the spring element (30) is arranged such that it is spaced apart from the switch element (26) along the actuating direction (24).
14. The housing according to one of claims 1-13,
    characterized in that at least two spring elements which are realized complementary to one another, particularly two snap discs or two leaf springs, are arranged on top of one another within the microswitch (26), wherein the leaf springs are provided in order to ensure the required actuating force.
15. A push button switch, particularly for a tailgate (16) of a motor vehicle, with a housing (12) according to one of claims 1-15 and a push button (20) that is pivotably connected to the housing (12) and serves for switching the switch element (26).

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